Texas Medical Center Terror: The Concrete Crane Collapse that Injured a Worker

 

A concrete crane collapses at the Texas Medical Center project and injures one worker.  

My Geotechnical firm investigated the soil conditions under the crane. They found a loose sandy soil that was not compacted.

They determined that the soil bearing capacity was 1,000 psf. The actual loading of the crane and the concrete container was 5,000 psf.

They also discovered that the outrigger area of the crane was 2.25 SF, and the wood outrigger was also only 2.25 SF. The outrigger base was too small and therefore insufficient.

A summary of the collapse.

1)     Insufficient bearing capacity of the soil underneath the crane.

2)    Outrigger pads are too small

3)    Settlement of the soil under the crane.

Perform a bearing capacity check by a geotechnical engineer for any crane or concrete pump truck outrigger used on the project.

Meet with your crane operator and review a lifting plan before work commences.

 Consider all the aspects of the lift:

1)     Weight

2)    Center of gravity

3)    Lifting points on the load

4)    The path that the load will travel during the lift.

5)    Review the capabilities of the crane, review the load tables, or the instrument of loading.

6)    Consider the wind

7)    Communication during the whole process of the lift.

8)    Are the outrigger pads a sufficient size?  

 

 Shettig Construction Management provides Professional Construction Management services from the inception of your project through completion. www.shettig.com

mshettig@gmail.com

 

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